Press Releases
Ranking Member Scott Leads Opposition to Bill That Puts Trans Kids in Harm’s Way
05.20.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, spoke in opposition of H.R. 2616, the Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube. Here is a transcript of his remarks: “Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as I may consume. “Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2616, the so-called Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act, because the name that bears little re… Continue Reading
HELP Ranking Member DeSaulnier Remarks on Discrimination in Health Care
05.20.26 WASHINGTON - Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) delivered the following opening statement at today’s HELP Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Bad Medicine: Politics, Unions, and Antisemitism in Health Care.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank all the witnesses for joining us today. “I would like to begin by saying that no one should be threatened, harassed, or assaulted because of who they are, who they worship, or what the… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on Workforce Pell Final Rule
05.18.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) finalized a new rule regarding the Workforce Pell Grant program. “Expanding Pell Grant access to support students seeking short-term training programs, such as IT, health care, finance, and manufacturing courses, has long been a bipartisan priority. In the 117th Congress, I helped advance legislation to expand access to… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Demands Explanation Over Concerns of HHS Providing Inaccurate Information in Litigation
05.18.26 WASHINGTON- Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, followed up with Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over concerns that HHS has refused to cooperate with the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, GAO’s investigation into the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) access to private and sensitive systems. Moreover, Ranking Member Scott reiterated his concerns that, per the D… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Commemorates 72nd Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
05.17.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, commemorated the 72nd anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education. Watch Ranking Member Scott’s remarks on YouTube. Here is a transcription of his remarks: “Hi, I’m Congressman Bobby Scott of Virginia's Third Congressional District, and I serve as the top Democrat on the House Committee on Education and Workforce. Today, we gather to commemorate the anniversar… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott’s Remarks at ED Secretary McMahon Hearing
05.14.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) delivered the following remarks at today’s full committee hearing entitled “Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. “And thank you, Secretary McMahon, for your testimony today to discuss the Department’s priorities and the effect this budget will have on students, teachers, and families. “When you last testified before this Committee in June 2025, I remarked that the Department… Continue Reading
Workforce Protections Ranking Member Omar Opening Remarks at Hearing on Improving Workplace Safety Research
05.13.26 WASHINGTON - Workforce Protections Subcommittee Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) delivered the following opening statement at today’s subcommittee hearing entitled, “Building a Safer Future: Private-Sector Strategies for Emerging Safety Issues.” “Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to our witnesses for joining us today. “All workers deserve to come home at the end of the day healthy, whole, and paid fairly for their labor. Thanks to agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administrat… Continue Reading
Democrats Demand ED Reverse Plans to Close Office for English Learners
05.13.26 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) along with 56 Democrats, warned the Secretary of Education Linda McMahon that the Department of Education’s reported plan to eliminate the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), will significantly harm millions of students across the country. Specifically, the Members warned that dismantling OELA would undermine federal support for approx… Continue Reading
New Government Watchdog Report on Effectiveness of the FAFSA Simplification Act
05.11.26 WASHINGTON - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report on the impact of the effectiveness of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Simplification Act. Requested by House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), the report revealed that in the 2024-25 school year, more students were eligible for the Pell Grant, and an increased proportion of those students were eligible to receive the maximum Pell Grant. In … Continue Reading
Scott, Adams Demand FSA Leadership Testify about Implementation of the ‘Big, Ugly Bill’
05.11.26 WASHINGTON— Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, and Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12), House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development (HEWD), requested Chairman Tim Walberg (MI-05), House Committee on Education and Workforce, hold an oversight hearing with the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) leadership and its ability to serve students and borrowers. In the letter, they detail how mass layoffs and other efforts to ill… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Statement on April Jobs Report
05.08.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy gained 115,000 jobs in April, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent. “Rather than making life more affordable, the Trump Administration has prioritized tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations while leaving workers behind. The results speak for themselves: lackluster job … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Questions Chair Walberg if He Intends to Hold a Hearing on Young Republicans Antisemitic Activity
05.08.26 WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, flagged for Chairman Tim Walberg recent reports of antisemitic activity connected to college-affiliated Republican groups. In addition to bringing this activity to the Chairman’s attention, Ranking Member Scott asked Chairman Walberg whether the Committee intended to take any action related to this activity. Ranking Member Scott cited multiple reported incidents, including students af… Continue Reading
Bonamici, Merkley, Mannion, Underwood, Alsobrooks Launch Effort to Overturn Student Loan Rule
05.07.26 WASHINGTON - Today Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. John Mannion (D-NY), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) announced they will introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the Department of Education’s finalized rule that caps federal student loans and overhauls the student loan system. The final rule unnecessarily limits the definition of a professional degree for the purpose of establishing federal loan caps, which w… Continue Reading
Scott, Foxx to Introduce the Transparency in Billing Act
05.04.26 WASHINGTON — Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (D-VA-03) and Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05) announced that they will introduce the Transparency in Billing Act. The bill would require accurate billing practices by hospitals, ensuring that group health plans pay for appropriately billed services. "We are seeing a growing trend of hospitals acquiring independent physician offices and then charging patients higher prices even if the car… Continue Reading
Ranking Member Scott Criticizes Education Department for Raising Student Loan Payments and Limiting Access to Higher Education
04.30.26 WASHINGTON - Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Department of Education finalized a rule titled “Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE),” which implements changes to the student loan program that Republicans’ passed in the ‘Big, Ugly Bill.’ “The Department of Education’s final student loan rule will put getting a college degree out of reach for millions of students, particularly for l… Continue Reading
ICYMI: Committee Democrats Hear from Experts about Impact of Trump’s Economy on American Workers
04.29.26 WASHINGTON -Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) hosted an event on the impact of the Trump economy on workers. As unemployment edges upward, job growth slows, and the cost of essentials like gas, groceries, and housing remains high, many families are feeling increased financial strain. During the event, Members heard from economic experts and questioned how the Administration’s policy decisions are shaping wages, job opportunities, and household budgets. The Members… Continue Reading
HEWD Ranking Member Adams Defends Students Rights to Free Speech on College Campuses
04.29.26 WASHINGTON - Higher Education and Workforce Development (HEWD) Ranking Member Alma Adams (NC-12) delivered the following opening statement at today’s HEWD Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Speech or Silence? The Future of the First Amendment in Higher Education.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to thank our witnesses for being here today. “Let me start with a point that I think everyone on this dais should agree on. Every student is entitled to the full protection of their First Amendment a… Continue Reading
Scott, Omar Slam DOL Rule Robbing Workers of Fair Wages and Workplace Protections
04.28.26 WASHINGTON - Today, House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) slammed the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed rule to allow unscrupulous employers to misclassify their workers as independent contractors, robbing workers of their wage and hour and other work protections. The Members argued that by loosening restrictions allowing employers to misclassify their employees as ind… Continue Reading
ECESE Ranking Member Bonamici Opening Remarks at Hearing on Equity and Excellence in Education
04.28.26 WASHINGTON - Early Childhood and Secondary Education (ECESE) Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) delivered the following opening statement at today’s ECESE Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Leveling Down: How Equity Policies Undermine Excellence and Harm Students.” “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the witnesses for your testimony. I’ll start by saying that Gifted and Talented programs, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and dual-enrollment courses do offer ex… Continue Reading
Rep. Norcross Files Discharge Petition for Bipartisan Bill to Speed Up First Contracts for New Unions
04.24.26 WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that he has filed a discharge petition for the Faster Labor Contracts Act. The bill will speed up the process of finalizing a first contract between a newly certified union and the employer. “The right of workers to form a union and collectively bargain is crucial to improving wages, hours, working conditions, and so much more. I know because I’ve lived it,” said Congressman Donald Norcross, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congr… Continue Reading